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GODFREY - Kreative Kids Learning Center had a lot to be proud of Friday, March 31, 2023, in an open house at its new facility at 3048 Godfrey Road in Godfrey. The event featured a ribbon-cutting around 10 a.m. on Friday, then tours of the new building, guest speakers, and was overall just a great time for everyone who attended. There was significant happiness displayed at the new facility - a goal for a long period of time was accomplished by administrators, board members, staff and donors. Prior to this move, Kreative Kids was previously located at the old McKinley School in Alton for 22 years and also started in the old St. Patrick’s School building. Kreative Kids is the pride and joy of CEO Keith Neuber, who has witnessed tremendous growth in the childcare industry in his career at the not-for-profit business. Neuber also said the demand for childcare is great right now and this will allow the business to welcome more children. Kreative Kids plans to add a temporary classroo

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COLLINSVILLE - The World's Largest Catsup Bottle Festival is back and coming to Uptown Collinsville on Saturday, July 8, 2023. The new location is Herald Square Collinsville at 119 East Clay Street. After a five-year hiatus, organizers decided to start pouring it on again. “We were presented with an opportunity to partner with the team at Old Herald,” said chairman Mike "The Big Tomato" Gassmann. “It’s a great new community gathering space right here in our historic business district.” Derik Reiser, owner of Old Herald Brewery and Herald Square, said, “We’re really excited. This is going to be a whole lot of fun.” He also said he knows this will create interest and a lot of foot traffic to help promote the entire uptown Collinsville area. Events and activities include the Princess Tomato and Sir Catsup Contest, old-fashion party games, tater-tots and hot dogs smothered in ketchup eating contests, and a ketchup tasting booth. NEW

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Letter To The Editor: I am a sustainability major. In all my sustainability classes renewable energy is discussed as a necessary technology to combat climate change (and do other things). Until this semester however, I was never academically exposed to the specific process in which lithium-ion batteries (a key part of renewable energy) are made. Subconsciously I knew, like any other product, the raw resources came from somewhere, but the cost of getting those resources was always a matter of carbon in my mind. The cost is much more than just excess carbon in the atmosphere. One of the most common ways of extracting lithium is to pump brine out of the ground and into pools, then once the water is evaporated you are left with lithium. This process has a negative impact on the drinking water for surrounding communities (especially indigenous peoples in Chile). Wealthy first world countries imposing problems on other less fortunate countries/communities to have sustainable energy is wron

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SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House of Representatives adopted HJR 21 on Thursday designating Illinois Route 140 as it travels through Meadowbrook as the ‘Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway’. The resolution was sponsored by State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton). “I have the pleasure of knowing Corporal Tommy Miller's younger brother who was about seven when his older brother died in Vietnam,” said Rep Elik. “He has vivid memories of his cool older brother who is beloved. Tommy was a drummer in a band and loved music. In fact, just before the enemy attack, he made a tape for his family from his base in Vietnam where he sang and played the guitar recorded on the tape for his family. When the family received the tape, they loved it and they didn’t know yet that he had already died because then it took days and weeks to be notified. Corporal Tommy Miller gave his life in service to our country and is no doubt a true hero deserving of this resolution

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In an unprecedented move, RiverBender.com, the popular online news source, is set to introduce a groundbreaking new feature: a paywall that charges users for every word they read. The move has been met with equal parts shock and awe from both subscribers and industry experts. The brains behind this ambitious and potentially disruptive idea, I.M. Jesting, explained the rationale behind the decision. "We believe that every word has value, and as such, we want our readers to truly savor and appreciate the content we provide. By implementing the pay-per-word system, we can ensure that our readers are fully engaged with every character on the page." In a world where most websites still rely on traditional subscription-based paywalls, RiverBender.com's innovative approach is turning heads. "It's a game-changer," said industry expert and digital journalism professor, April McFoolery. "The audacity of charging for each word means that readers will be compelled to select their content with care,

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EDWARDSVILLE - “ SIUE gives me a voice and encourages me to pursue my interests and aspirations,” shared Joyce Tawdros, first-year business marketing student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Tawdros’ passion for entrepreneurship and her appreciation for the women who came before her drives her to succeed. Throughout the month of March, SIUE has celebrated Women’s History Month. Tawdros has had many influential women figures in her life and celebrates their achievements and reflects on their struggles, which has helped her get to where she is today. “Women’s History Month is a recognition to all the amazing women who have shown courage, dedication, ambition and determination to inspire women everywhere," said Tawdros. “With the challenges women have been faced with for so long, it’s a chance to not just acknowledge the obstacles we’ve overcome, but the obstacles we’ve yet to overcome.” Tawdros herself i

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The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that road repairs to Interstate 270 between Riverview Drive in Missouri and Illinois 3 will require lane closures beginning at 7 p.m., Friday, March 31. One lane in both directions will remain open at all times. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, April 2. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone.

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The quiet waters of Piasa Creek near Beltrees, Illinois, took an unexpected turn toward the extraordinary when local fisherman, Earl "Buddy" Thompson, stumbled upon a long-lost relic from the Soviet era. While casting his line from his trusty kayak, the Nutwood native unearthed a mystery that has since captivated the small community and sparked rumors of Russian connections. A seasoned angler, Buddy was exploring a new stretch of the creek when he noticed something unusual in the water. "I was paddling along, minding my own business, when I saw this strange shape down below," he recalled. "At first, I thought it was a huge log or something, but when I looked closer, I realized it was a darn submarine!" Unable to contain his excitement, Buddy quickly snapped a few photos of the partially submerged vessel and shared them with his fellow Nutwood residents. The bizarre discovery soon became the talk of the town, with many speculating about how a Soviet-era submarine could have ended

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ALTON - Crisis Food Center (CFC) is again partnering with Midwest Members Credit Union (MMCU) to give away free Hams and side items for Easter. “Together, we are able to purchase a lot of hams for families in need this Easter," Derek Richardson, CFC, and former Midwest Members Credit Union Board member, who is assisting with the hame giveaway, said. "The two organizations went 50/50 on the hams, and in addition, Crisis Food Center is donating the side items to go along with the hams. Teaming up together makes a good partnership. "We believe that feeding of our community is important and want to make sure that families in our community are able to celebrate Easter with a nice Easter meal. We want to give back in a way that would definitely impact the families in the community." Hams and side items will be given out from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2022, at Crisis Food Center, 21 East 6 th Street in Alton. "We will have a contactless drive-through only ham giveaway with

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ALTON - Each of the contested candidates running for seats on the Alton School Board answered questions at a public forum hosted by the Alton YWCA on March 22. Six total candidates are running for three four-year-term seats on the Board of Education in the upcoming April 4 election. Those candidates are as follows: Vivian Monckton, Jarvis Swope, Beverly Velloff, Alfred “Al” Womack Jr., David Fritz, and David Lauschke. Christina Milien is also running unopposed for a two-year term and did not attend the event. Candidates were asked how they felt about changing curriculum to re-write or “whitewash” Black history or other ethnic histories. David Lauschke was asked to answer first and said he didn’t understand where the question was coming from, but that “history is history.” “History is history, and if it’s bad or it’s good, we have to discuss it,” Lauschke said. “I don’t know why you would want to whitewash

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ALTON - Two men have been charged after multiple reports of gunshots fired in the 1000 block of Brown Street in Alton at 12:28 a.m. on March 26, 2023. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said officers responded and located physical evidence of gunshots fired. Officers did not locate anyone injured by the gunfire, however, the residence of 1019 Brown Street was found to have been struck by several of the projectiles. The residence was occupied at the time of the incident. At 2:48 a.m. on March 29, 2023, the Alton Police Department received a report of a vehicle on fire in front of 1019 Brown Street. Officers and the Alton Fire Department responded to the area and located a white 2004 Chevrolet mini-van on fire. Officers located evidence at the scene that indicated that the fire was intentionally set. Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division worked diligently throughout the week on both of these incidents and found them to be related and intentional towards the occupant of 1019

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Letter to the Editor: WOOD RIVER: Wood River is headed in the wrong direction. It will take the “Right Two” to turn Wood River around. Voters clearly said they did not want a Rec Center. The cost is now $12,000,000 and we may not have the revenues to cover the cost of up to $1,000,000 a year to pay for it. Voters have been ignored. Cheryl Maguire, the “Rec”-less 3, and their supporters refuse to listen and want to continue to impose their will on Wood River. Voters have endured never-ending fees and tax increases. The City Council has failed to provide the proper oversight, the “checks and balances”, of city management and failed to enforce city ordinances which has resulted in waste and higher costs to taxpayers. Voters have suffered from declining population and stagnant property values. The City Council continues to enact policies that drain our resources and make Wood River unattractive for young families to consider as a place to live. Dav

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announces an Illinois route near Edwardsville main street with high traffic flow will be closed for part of this coming week. Illinois Route 159 will be closed to all traffic from Illinois 143/Old Alton Road, over the Mooney Creek and Cahokia Creek structures, to 3,000’ south of Roman Hills Road beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, April 3, through 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 5. Illinois Route 159 will remain open to traffic from Roman Hills Road to Illinois Route 140. A marked detour will be in place utilizing Illinois Route 143, Route 255, and Illinois 140. "This closure is to complete final pavement repairs due to a previous slope failure in this area," IDOT said. "Work is being completed by Keller Construction." To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain

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ALTON - An Alton Police officer was injured in an accident that occurred at 9:44 p.m. on March 30, 2023, on College Avenue near the intersection with Homer Adams Parkway in Alton. Alton Police Officers and Alton Fire Department members responded and were actively engaged in their respective duties at the scene of the accident. At approximately 10:05 p.m., while completing the accident investigation, one of the officers returned to his police vehicle and was sitting inside when a vehicle struck the police vehicle from behind. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the officer was injured and taken to a local hospital via ambulance for medical treatment. The injured officer has since been treated and released from the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He continues to recover at this time. The driver that struck the police vehicle was suspected of driving under the influence, Chief Ford said. The driver was taken into custody and brought to the Alton Police Department Jail where

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ALTON - Alton High School freshman Hayden Scott has earned a significant honor with Washington University in St. Louis. Hayden was selected by Washington University to join their College Prep Program. The application and selection processes for CPP are described as "extremely competitive." The program provides high school students with a three-year immersive experience, during the summer months, to prepare them for rigorous coursework in their chosen field. The program is free, and there is no cost to the scholar or family. Hayden plans to attend medical school and become a physician. "Thanks for making Alton proud, Hayden," the Alton School District Superintendent Dr. Kristie Baumgartner said in a statement. To help talented high school students from our own region succeed in college, Washington University launched the College Prep Program (CPP) in 2014. The CPP is a no-cost, three-year immersive learning experience that serves to successfully prepare first-generation college student

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Some area schools are responding to the possible tornado activity with cancellations or early dismissal. Most athletic events for the remainder of the day have been canceled or were moved to Thursday. Jersey District 100 is closing at 2:15 p.m. today. Lewis and Clark Community College closed early at 1 p.m. Alton School District 11 dismissed classes early this afternoon. Edwardsville High School said due to the forecasted timing of severe weather, including high winds, tornadic activity, and possible hail, all schools will be dismissed 30 minutes early. Due to the threat of severe weather at game time, softball at Father McGivney Catholic High School was canceled. Practices were also canceled and track practiced at 11:30 a.m. McGivney had a half day of attendance on Friday. The highly anticipated Civic Memorial at Edwardsville girls' softball game was moved to 4:30 p.m. Friday at EHS softball field. If you have any other cancellations you wish posted, e-mail news@riverbender.com.

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ALTON - The YWCA of Alton hosted a forum last week to allow the public to see and hear from the candidates running for the Alton School Board. Candidates introduced themselves and shared more about their backgrounds and experience at the forum, which was held on March 22. Six total candidates are running for three four-year-term seats on the Board of Education in the upcoming April 4 election. Those candidates are as follows: Vivian Monckton, Jarvis Swope, Beverly Velloff, Alfred “Al” Womack Jr., David Fritz, and David Lauschke. Christina Milien is also running unopposed for a two-year term and did not attend the event. Vivian Monckton, an incumbent member of the Alton School Board since 1999, was the first candidate to speak at the event. She said she’s proud of the work she and the School Board have accomplished so far and looks to continue that success if re-elected. “I’m very proud of our school district and what we have to offer,” Monckton

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of attorneys general, urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt stringent standards under the Clean Air Act that protect public health against particulate matter (PM) pollution. These standards, known as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), are critical to efforts to improve air quality and the health of residents disproportionately impacted by higher PM levels. “Particulate matter pollution has been proven to be harmful to human health,” Raoul said. “It is urgent that the EPA establish sufficient guidelines to address the health threat posed by these contaminants, especially for populations that are disproportionately exposed.” Particulate matter is a pollutant emitted from a variety of sources including vehicles, factories and construction sites. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to set NAAQS for several pollutants, including PM, at a level that protects

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SPRINGFIELD – Total nonfarm jobs increased in thirteen metropolitan areas and decreased in one for the year ending February 2023, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate decreased in seven areas, increased in five areas and was unchanged in two. “Today’s data is further indication that job growth continues to trend in the right direction with expansion throughout every corner of the state across sectors,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “Job expansion creates new and growing career opportunities for jobseekers and the demand for employers to invest in and retain the talented and diverse Illinois labor force.” The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Bloomington MSA (+4.8%, +4,500), the Peoria MSA (3.9%, +6,400), and the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+3.4%, +4,000).

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EAST ST. LOUIS – In a U.S. District courtroom Wednesday, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts against a St. Louis man accused of several attempted sex crimes against a minor. Members of the jury found Vallie Francis Zeller, 46, guilty of Attempted Enticement of a Minor, Travel with Intent to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor after evidence presented at trial showed he was conversing online with an alleged 15-year-old girl with the intention of having sex with the minor. “The defendant deliberately tried to exploit a minor for sexual activity and chose to drive across state lines to engage in criminal sex acts, and I’m grateful the jury convicted him on all counts,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The FBI works diligently to protect minors from online predators, and I appreciate their collaboration with our office to put this offender behind bars.” “The FBI’s investigation revealed

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